A new-look Indian team is set to take on its first challenge of the year 2023 against neighbours Sri Lanka starting with a 3-match T20I series on Tuesday. (More Cricket News)
India's stats for the year 2022 in T20Is does not necessarily emit an outright pleasing effect despite reasonable results. Overall, they played a total of 40 matches (a record for the most games by any team in a calendar year) comprising bilateral series, the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Out of the 9 bilateral series that they played, the Men In Blue won 8 series but failed to make it to the finals of the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup. As a result, the year ended with the BCCI holding a review meeting to start the New Year.
The team's batting approach in the fast-paced format has received flak for being rather slow. The series against Sri Lanka presents the perfect opportunity to rectify those errors and start 2023 with a bang. As for India's squad for the 3-match series, it is a relatively young side with one eye on the T20 World Cup later this year.
India's dashing all-rounder Hardik Pandya was again handed the reins to lead India in Rohit Sharma's absence. Although after the BCCI review meeting, it was said that Sharma will keep his hold on the captaincy in the 50-over format and Tests, only time will tell whether he keeps the 20-over format captaincy too.
On the visitors' front, Dasun Shanaka will lead the contingent in both T20Is and the subsequent ODI series. As per the 20-member squad announced for the tour, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Nuwan Thushara will play only the shortest format. The former has struggled with the bat of late, but he brings the uncertainty of a big performance that can rock the opposition on his best day.
Chamika Karunaratne earned the trust of the Sri Lankan board through good performances in the LPL striking at 168.68. Thushara earned his place in a similar way, but with the ball, claiming 14 scalps at an economy rate of 7.44. The 2022 Asia Cup winners will be keen to show that the win against Pakistan in the final was not a fluke.
When And Where To Watch India Vs Sri Lanka T20I Matches Live?
Viewers can watch the 3-match T20I series in English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu from January 3, 2023, 7 PM onwards, LIVE on the Star Sports Network. The matches can also be streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.
Here is the schedule for India Vs Sri Lanka T20I series:
1st T20I: January 3, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
2nd T20I: January 5, Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
3rd T20I, January 7, Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
Squads:
India:
Hardik Pandya (c), Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Mukesh Kumar, Harshal Patel, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Umran Malik, Washington Sundar
Sri Lanka:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva (vc), Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera, Samarawickrama (wk), Charith Asalanka, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Avishka Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Pathum Nissanka, Pramod Madushan, Bhanuka Rakapaksa, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage
